The Salvation Army Shelter – Offering Refuge and Hope
National Salvation Army Week, May 10-16, 2021
Dallas, Texas (May 10, 2021) – Uncontrollable and unpredictable circumstances in life can result in homelessness. The loss of hours at work or unemployment, bills spiraling out of control, eviction, or a broken relationship. However, there is always a helping hand and hope for the future. As long as there’s The Salvation Army, there’s no such thing as no place to go.
The Salvation Army is excited to celebrate National Salvation Army Week, May 10-16, 2021. Since 1889, The Salvation Army has faithfully and consistently worked to help Texans in need, 365 days a year, providing assistance to individuals and families who find themselves in crisis, shelter to those experiencing homelessness, food and meals to the hungry, and much more.
Each year, The Salvation Army provides more than 10 million nights of lodging to those in need. Our group homes, emergency shelters, and transitional living centers provide housing, food, and overnight lodging for varying amounts of time to destitute families, the homeless, the displaced, and to youth where family care is undesirable or unavailable. Through our holistic approach to serving the whole person, we supplement every shelter service with emotional and spiritual support.
Across the state, The Salvation Army provides shelter to men, women, and families. In addition to a safe, warm bed, those staying at the shelter also receive hot meals each day. Additional emergency space is made available in times of extreme cold, intense heat, or severe weather, to keep people safe and off the streets.
“The Salvation Army shelter programs are designed to provide food and emergency or transitional housing to men, women, or families in need. Underlying this program is a motivation to identify the causes of homelessness and work to alleviate or eliminate homelessness at its source,” said Lt. Colonel Ronnie Raymer, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Texas. “Along with meeting immediate physical needs, The Salvation Army provides educational, counseling and vocational services to help develop vital life skills and independence for re-entry into society. Our case managers meet regularly with clients individually to set realistic goals and discuss barriers to permanent housing solutions and self-sufficiency.”
“All my concerns about my immediate needs were melted away after just a few minutes inside the door. Just deciding to walk through that door and ask was something I’d really never done before. It changed everything right there,” said Larry, who came to The Salvation Army seeking help. “I was given a place to sleep, it was safe, and it was warm, and it was comfortable. The ability to shower, have clean sheets and everything. Man, you don’t know! It was exactly what I needed.” Larry worked with a Salvation Army case manager, got back on his feet, and eventually transitioned into his own apartment. “It couldn’t have gone much better really. From homeless, no food, no nothing, to my own place, my pension back, to knowing good people all across town. Truth is, I’m blessed. I don’t know how else to say it. But it started right here at The Salvation Army.”
“National Salvation Army Week is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate service in communities throughout the state during the past year. We provide service in every zip code, including shelter to thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness. Working closely with community partners we have successfully transitioned many individuals and families into long-term housing,” said Raymer. “Thanks to the generous support of donors, businesses, and supporters, The Salvation Army will continue to be a place of refuge and hope, and provide a hand up, not simply a handout, to those in need in Texas.”
For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us online at www.salvationarmytexas.org
###
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org